Where to Eat in 2019

We surveyed 10 local tastemakers to put together a list of more than 30 spots for any kind of dining.By Catherine Currin

Brewery Bhavana | Photo by Keith Isaacs

The Triangle’s food scene has been stepping up its game in the Southeast and beyond. In 2018, Raleigh chefs brought home three James Beard nominations, and USA Today praised the City of Oaks’ culinary community: “From cocktail bars to coffee shops to breweries, there’s a huge sense of people coming together in the city to make business successful.” We believe coming together is the key: Triangle foodies aren’t just in it for themselves, they support each other, too. That’s why when we asked local chefs, restaurateurs, and others to share their recommendations—from dives to fine dining—for where to eat other than their own spots, they were happy to oblige (even though the Char-Grill versus Snoopy’s debate rages on). Read on for your 2019 culinary bucket list.

A burger “all the way” from The Players Retreat | Photo by Juli Leonard

Beth Littlejohn is the executive chef of The Player’s Retreat on Oberlin Road, the old-school sports bar that’s been around for over 60 years.